THE SPIRITUAL LIFE BY POPE SHENOUDA III 14

THE SPIRITUAL LIFE BY: POPE SHENOUDA III 14 -NOV-1971 TO 17 -MAR-2012 PART I OF II 1. THE SPIRITUAL GOAL 2. START & CONTINUE 3. THE FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION 4. SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS 5. VALUES & COMMITMENT

1. THE SPIRITUAL GOAL Ø Aim in Life: categorized in Desires (Transient) or Pleasure (Temporary); Lk 10: 41 Ø Sole Goal: God. The Goal of the spiritual aspirant is God and none but Him. The Holy Bible states “ There is none in the world I desire besides You. ” (Ps 73: 25). If we focus on the goal as God, we can avoid vanity in the world. The Proverb states “A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb” (Prov. 27: 7), telling us that one who is satisfied with life with God loathes all the pleasures of the world.

THE SPIRITUAL GOAL Ø False Aims: The devil is not happy with this sole aim. He goes to and from distributing false aims. However, the main problem is that inside every man is a deep nostalgia for infinity and everything in the world is finite. The first aim the devil presents is the self. This creates a problem because the ego competes with God. Another issue is that consideration to his self entangles it with the pleasures of the world, which makes the pleasures of the world his aim. He focuses on worldly pleasures and only thinks of his eternity at the hour of his death. -We must consider every false aim a deviation from God. These are delusions from the devil. The Holy Bible states “the world is passing away, and the lust of it” (Jn 2: 17), and “friendship with the world is enmity with God. ” (Jas 4: 4). Examples from Bible relating to leaving false aims and following God: Apostle Saint Peter He whose goal is God does not make even spiritual matters his goal! This includes prayer, fasting, monasticism. Correction is a false aim. You have to say with David the Prophet: “ I have set the Lord always before me” (Ps. 16: 8). God asks you “Where am I amidst your aims? ” You have to ask yourself Do you love God as He loved you?

THE SPIRITUAL GOAL Ø The Constancy of the Spiritual Goal : the steadfast person; constant in his aim Examples of the Fallen: Demas the assistant of St. Paul; Solomon the Sage; Judas; Ananias; Sapphira; Examples of Steadfastness: v Repentants: Ones going to God; St. Augustine; Moses the Black; St. Mary of Egypt or Pelagia v Martyrs v Divine Calling: Abraham the Patriarch left his relatives since his goal was God. St. Paul the Apostle

2. START & CONTINUE Ø Start: Many people live a secular life away from God. Consideration of a spiritual life and an eternal life has not crossed their minds. However, some initiating event or trigger wakes them from their stupor. This trigger could be a sermon or a life event. However, as important as starting, is continuing on the spiritual path. It is important to Continue: After confession and partaking the Holy Eucharist, many people revert to their state before repentance. So how does one continue in repentance? Examples: v St. Peter cut off the ear of the soldier, but later denied knowing Jesus. v Another example is the person who vows. He first makes the vow but is unable to fulfill it later. v A third example includes those who make covenants with God including those pledging monasticism or celibacy. This is why St. Paul says to those who minister “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15: 58)

START & CONTINUE Ø Outcome of Conduct: What matters is the outcome of conduct, NOT the beginning. In the Litany of the Departed in the Divine Liturgy, we mention “those who have been made perfect in faith. ” By contrast, Demas although he was one of the pillars of the Church, did not continue in hos conduct. St. Paul states ”Demas has forsaken me, having loved his present world. ” (2 Tim. 4: 10). Lesson is “Do not be haughty but fear” (Rom. 11: 20). St. Peter says “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5: 8). Those who begin in the Spirit should continue their spiritual path and not give in to sin.

START & CONTINUE Ø Experiencing Warfare: God may not allow the devil to wage his wars against you at the beginning. However, by God’s sanction, the more a person walks in the spiritual path, the tougher the warfare becomes due to the envy of the devils. This struggle is important for humility. It also teaches compassion for those who fall. Eventually the person is like a house that is built on a rock. Unlike a house built on sand or a plant, which has no root and withers away (Matt. 13: 6). Ø Having No Root: The root is the life of profound faith and true love. It is the personal relationship with God. Ø The Inner Correction: One must find the true cause of a sin in order to correct. For example a person who always becomes angry is suffering from pride. One must amend the heart within not just the outward causes. When the righteous fall, they rise immediately, because they have roots. Examples include David and Peter. Spirituality begins by changing/correcting the inner self.

3. FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION Ø The Love of God & The Fear of God => Starting Point of Spiritual Path “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Prov 9: 10, Ps 111: 10 Fear of God does not contradict the Love of God. It surpasses it like the elementary student who uses basic math in his trigonometry studies. Some claim that they should not fear God since they have achieved perfect Love. However, few if any have achieved this perfect love. The Fear of God is the path that leads you to love. You will be afraid to fall.

FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION Ø Benefits of the Fear of God 1 st Benefit: Shield against falling. - What is Perfect Love? Keeping of God’s commandments because of Love versus fear. Apostle Saint Paul mentions “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7: 1) v A person should fear all things that offend and fear all temptations and the devil’s combats. Do not be haughty but fear (Rom. 11: 20). v A person should also have a fear of displeasing God. It is better to fear God on earth than on the day of judgment. The culmination of the spiritual life is perfect love. However, do not start with the summit. Start with the fear of God. This will help you reach the ‘top’ Holiness and perfection: The Lord said “ Therefore you shall be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. “ (Matt 5: 48). He also said “be holy” (1 Pet 1: 15).

FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION Ø Cause of Fearlessness “Lack of Fear” o Lack of self-examination of one’s actions in the present & past o Not realizing that the day of Judgment can come at any time. o Being drawn into the vortex of the world. Ø Practices o Try to fear God at least as much as you fear people. o Revere the Holy Bible. “Stand in the fear of God & Listen to the Holy Bible. ” o Your sins sever you from the angels that are around you. Feel shame around angels & saints that are around you.

FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION Ø Self-Coercion is defined as a person forcing himself to walk in the spiritual path. The fear of God calls him to change his path. He changes it through self-coercion. One has to start praying and forcing one self to pray even though he is not trained on prayer. To Start: Some say the first virtue in the spiritual path is repentance. Others say that before repentance there should be one’s self account and examining it. This was the starting point for Saint Augustine and the Prodigal Son. Others say it should be humility and contrition of heart. And yet others say it should be knowledge gained through ministry of the word. But some of the saints say that self-coercion is the basis. Self-Coercion & Growth: “If you wait until you reach pure prayer and then start to pray, you will never pray” says one of the spiritual fathers. Similarly, it is important to force yourself to fast although you do not yet have a taste for fasting. If you cannot resist errors in speaking or using malevolent words pray saying “ Set a guard, O lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141. 3).

FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION Ø Self-Coercion “A Transitional Virtue” Some ask does God accept self-coercion in prayer. The answer is yes, since God knows this is not easy for the beginner. Solomon the Sage said “he who rules the spirit (is better) than he who takes a city? (Prov. 16: 32). Example of self-coercion is Alms-giving. Give even if you force yourself. The needy should not wait for you to reach the standard of happily giving since they are in dire need of help. The spiritually mature person does good of his own accord but the beginner needs to practice

FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION Ø Benefits of Self-Coercion o Self-coercion is undoubtedly a rebellion against pampering the soul, or it’s a war waged against the ego. We sometimes use coercion in bringing up our children: if we spoil them and leave to their wishes, the inevitable result: their loss and perdition. o When Jonah the Prophet did not force himself to obey God, God forced him. It is better for a person to force himself than to be forced by events and trials. o Examples: Abba Pishoi used to tie his hair to a rope on the ceiling to pull it up whenever his head bent up in slumber. David the Prophet who made a covenant with himself saying “ Surely I will go into the chamber of my house, or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the Lord” (Ps. 132: 3 -5).

FEAR OF GOD & SELF-COERCION Ø Advice & Practices The biggest war we fight in the spiritual life is the war against OURSELVES o Self-coercion comes under the Lord’s commandment of carrying the cross (Matt. 16: 24), because “those who are Christ’s have crucified its flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5: 24). o “And if your right eye causes you to sin, cast it out and cast it from you…(Mat. 5: 29, 30). Thus, you should restrict your eyes and your hands. o Let your conscience force you and not the law of the land in which you live.

4. THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS Ø The Spiritual Conduct The spiritual person walks according to the Spirit. He does not walk according to the flesh. o St. Paul the Apostle stated “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8: 1). The majority of people are concerned about their bodies and their clothing but not their spirit. o When the Apostle talked about the love of the world, that is enmity with God, he said: “For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 Jn. 2: 16) he played the lust of the flesh the first of worldliness.

THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS Ø Is the Body a Sin? No. The body is not a sin nor an evil otherwise God would not have created it. o Supporting biblical references: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? (1 Cor. 6: 19, 15). The Subjection of the Body to the Spirit v Concept 1: Body is sacred since God created it. v Concept 2: Body is sacred since it is a member of Christ. v Concept 3: We venerate the bodies of the saints, therefore they are sacred. v Concept 4: Body is sacred because it was baptized and took a new nature. Consecrated with Myroon. v Concept 5: The body joins the spirit in worshiping God.

THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS Ø The Subjection of the Body to the Spirit o The body will be holy if it submits to the direction of the spirit and vice versa. The body can be a holy and living sacrifice. The body must resist and submit to the spirit. Otherwise there will be a struggle as stated in Gal. 5: 17. o The Fathers in the wilderness induced themselves to be pliable by fasting, vigil, and prostrations. o The body in itself is not a sin, but the lust of the flesh is. Example: Adam and Eve fell into the lust of flesh. If there is not inner conflict between body and spirit, the body will not sin.

THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS Ø The Body and Sin The body, which sins is in effect defiling one of God’s temples. The body does not only rebel against its own spirit but also against the Spirit of God who dwells in it. The body, which lives in its lusts, is considered dead even though it is throbbing with life. o Biblical reference: ”…the body is dead because of sin” (Rom. 8: 10). o Biblical reference : The father said about the prodigal son “…. . for this my son was dead” (Lk. 15: 24)…. this son was dead and now is alive again”

THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS Ø Caring for the Spirit Focusing on the spirit: “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul” (Matt. 16: 26). If one walks in the spirit, he will be similar to the angels. Thus, it is important to focus on the spirit not the flesh. Ø The Relation of Your Spirit to the Spirit of God o The spiritual person submits his body to his spirit and submits his spirit to the Spirit of God. When we do this we become sons of God (God’s children). “Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Cal. 5: 22, 23). ” Thus, there is a positive aspect not just a negative aspect to being in communion with the Spirit. o One must co-work with the Spirit of God, and be pliable. When we do this we are beautified with virtues, ready to meet God. Ask Yourself: Do you fear the devils or do they fear you because the Spirit of God dwells in you?

THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS Ø The Meaning of Uprightness The spiritual person is an upright person. He is a just person. He does not swerve or stray. As stated “ Do not turn to the right or to the left”” (Prov. 4: 27). v Uprightness Versus Extremity o Exaggeration in the spiritual path is not acceptable since it is a lie. Jesus Christ chastised the Pharisees and Scribes because they made unrealistic demands on people. o Extremity lacks steadfastness since the person only displays the extreme the behavior for a limited time and then abandons it. o The Spiritual Fathers recommended gradualness. v Uprightness Versus Falsehood o Some people walk in falsehood through ignorance. o Pride may cloud people’s judgment that their path is straight when in fact it is not. “ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Prov. 12: 15). Thus it is important to be humble. o Falsehood is Falsehood no matter whether or not a person is condemned for committing it. A mentally ill person may not be responsible for his actions but his behavior is not proper.

THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS Ø Uprightness Versus Hypocrisy o Some people combine truthfulness and falsehood through hypocrisy. The outward and inward appearance must be synchronized. o People can fall into a dual sin. Outward appearance is dishonest and inward actions are not aligned with the spiritual path. Ex) Judas. Delilah with Samson. Balaam -> tried to combine money of Balak with construction of seven altars for the Lord. (Num 22, 23) The devil also acts this way. o It is important to have the heart and mouth in sync. Thus, it is not proper to use hypocritical phrases or flattering words. Ø Uprightness Versus Deception o Jacob was not upright when de deceived his father Isaac and told him that he was his firstborn son Esau (Gen. 27: 19). His mother Rebekah was also not upright. o Joseph’s brothers were not upright when they deceived their father Jacob by dipping Joseph’s many colored tunic into the blood of a kid of a goat so that their father might think that he was devoured by a wild beast (Gen. 37: 31 -33).

THE SPIRITUAL CONDUCT & UPRIGHTNESS ØUprightness Versus Artfulness involves going around in circles. This does not conform with the speaker’s respect of his own conscience or the conscience of others. Ø Uprightness Versus Trust • The upright person is trusted by whoever communicates or converses with him. • One must reject any profit that comes via crooked means. We must put before our eyes the example of our saintly Fathers and follow in their steps.

5. VALUES & COMMITMENT Ø Values and Spiritual Evaluation o Values are sublime invaluable matters, which a person follows and which are adhered to as principles on commencing every deed. o People’s values are different. Some concentrate on wealth or fame. According to this concentration, the sublime values may disappear or may not be thought of at all. Ø The Aim and the Means • The spiritual aspirant should set before him a good aim and the means to attain the aim should be good. Some people will do anything to achieve their aim, including using deception and lies.

VALUES & COMMITMENT Ø The Meaning of Success o Success is to overcome your own self, not to overcome others. Evil-doers also succeed when reaching their aim. However, this is not the success we mean. o Success is to attain purity of heart and not merely to achieve your aims whatever they may be. o Success is to achieve the kingdom of God in your heart and every other aim should be within this Kingdom. o Anything outside of these values is a failure. Ø Caring for Eternity o The spiritual aspirant’s prime concern is his eternity. His concern for eternity gives his present life a pure spiritual direction, keeping him steadfast in God and circumspect in His love and in keeping His commandments. o Worldly goals should not be the focus. As the Lord Jesus Christ stated “ For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ” (Matt. 16: 26). o The Lord also said to Martha: “…. you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed” (Lk. 10: 41, 42).

VALUES & COMMITMENT ØCaring for Eternity When we mention eternity, we mean your own eternal life and the eternal life of others. The more the value of eternal life is elevated in your mind and in your heart, the less the value of the world becomes in your sight. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn. 2: 15). o What is the value of the world in your eyes? Solomon the sage experienced the two conditions of either looking at the world as pleasure and looking at the pleasures of the world as meaningless. o St. Augustine experienced the lusts of the world but when it lost value in his sight, he said “ I found myself on top of the world when I felt within myself that I neither desire anything nor fear anything. ” o Therefore, to lead someone to the love of God, you have to amend his criteria.

VALUES & COMMITMENT Ø The Spirit and the Body • The majority of people concern themselves mostly with their bodies. However, the value or importance we place on the spirit defines our attitude to life. v Examples of Spiritual Values i. Prayer • What is the value of prayer in one’s life? Do people only pray in times of need or is it a necessary spiritual nourishment? • Your evaluation of prayer defines your spiritual level and your ability to continue in prayer. Our failing sometimes is that we appraise human effort more than prayer! • We often only pray when we have time after finishing everything else done in life. This is because we do not give prayer the value that befits it. The same applies to all the other spiritual practices. Thus, your whole life with God needs re-evaluation.

VALUES & COMMITMENT v. Examples of Spiritual Values ii. Yourself & Others • What is your appreciation of man? Do you consider men as brothers? Are you mindful of other people’s feelings? All people? Do you appraise the soul? • The esteem of the precious human soul, and the circumspection to observe the prerogatives and feelings of everyone is one of the values kept by the spiritual person. • It is important to care for the feelings of the elders as well as everyone else. This is because God is the God of all people. No one is forgotten by God. • The value of the human soul calls you to serve and to expand yourself for the sake of others. “Who is weak and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble and I do not burn with indignation? ” (2 Cor. 11: 29).

VALUES & COMMITMENT v Examples of Spiritual Values iii. Comfort and Toil • The ordinary person is concerned with his own comfort even if it causes other people to suffer. However, the person with values realizes that he must give comfort to others and not himself. He realizes that comfort is the comfort of his conscience. “everyone in eternity will receive his reward according to his labor” (1 Cor. 3: 8). iv. Commitment • Commitment is essential to the spiritual path. The spiritual person commits himself to every word he says and to every promise he makes. Commitment is part of honorable conduct. A committed person is also committed to the relationship with God. • Example of committed people in the Bible: Abraham the Patriarch, Jepphtah the Gileadite. • By contrast, Samson did not abide by his commitment and forfeited his soul.

VALUES & COMMITMENT Ø Commitment to Covenants, Vows and Oaths • Fulfilling your covenants with God: First covenant is the pledge to renounce Satan and all his intrigues and evil on the day of baptism. • In every confession and repentance you undertake many promises. • Similarly, in every Holy Communion you undertake many promises. • Many people make vows during the year or on New Year’s Eve but do not adhere to them.

VALUES & COMMITMENT Ø Commitment Lack of Commitment. . is linked with a lack of seriousness or respect. v Adam and Eve did not adhere to the commitment they made with God and were driven out of Paradise. v The Israelites who worshipped the golden calf did not take their commitments seriously. v The spiritual person commits himself and exerts every effort to overcome every obstacle. That is why one is comfortable when dealing with a committed person. What is the need for commitment when we are abiding by grace but not by law? • Grace does not conflict with commitment. He who through grace has risen above the level of the law’s requirements is not required to submit to the law but he who is below that is required. An example is paying the tithes. If one wants to go beyond the tithes requirement, he should do so. However, if you have not attained the state where you give to anyone in need who asks of you, you should conform to the law of tithes.

VALUES & COMMITMENT Ø Commitment Qualities of the Committed Person v Respects himself, his word, his promises and his relations with people. v Does not deviate from his prayer, fasting, prostrations, and spiritual readings. v Does not find excuses for his non-adherence. v Does not waste his time in trivial matters that take him away from his commitments. v Does not use forgetfulness as an excuse. Ministers: Must commit to time. If one is invited to give a sermon for one hour, he does not take two hours. He also heeds to the sermon’s objectives. Commitment should also be a guiding principle in teaching doctrine and dogma. One must adhere to the teachings of the Holy Bible and not imbue the sermon with one’s personal beliefs. Saint Paul said “ And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ” (2 Tim. 2: 2). The committed person walks in the same manner as the Church. Be humble and unhaughty/proud since the latter would do things according to his own understanding not according to the regulations agreed upon by the Church.